b'SPEARFISHINGBY DAN WESTERKAMPGodzones Third IslandRAKIURASpearfishing guru Dan Westerkamp packed his fins andits 400 residents are concentrated. Catering to all budgets, Stewart Island is speargun and jumped on a plane in Auckland to Invercargill,easy to get to and affordable despite its then ferried out to Stewart Island and discovered anotherseemingly inaccessible location.stunning Godzone location.A t latitude 47 degreesFrom the 13th century people haveSTAY IN SHALLOWSA warm current from the Great Barrier Reef flows around Stewart Island the Roaring Fortiesinhabited the 172 square kilometre islandbringing rich nutrients to the waters batter New Zealandsrenown for sealing, whaling, tin mining,surrounding the island. From calm sandy third island, Te Pungasaw milling and fishing up until the 1900sbays and inlets to the wild open ocean, o te Waka a Maui (thewhere it started to become a touristfishing, and diving in this part of Godzone anchor of Mauis canoe)destination. One hundred years on,is absolutely breath taking.or Rakiura. Lying justStewart Island draws those with a senseWhen diving in new areas its important 30km south of Newfor adventure to its rugged, windsweptto learn about the local waters, the target Zealand, Stewart Island is a fishermenslandscape and storm lashed seas. species and what to look out for. Stewart and hunters paradise and I headed thereJust a one-hour ferry trip from Bluff orIsland is known for its amazing fish life to experience its rich history, worlda 20-minute plane ride from Invercargillbut with the rich abundance of food also renowned flora and fauna and incrediblegets you to the heart of Stewart Islandcomes the predators, were they really a fishing and diving. the township of Oban where most ofproblem? I was soon to find out.52FISHING IN GODZONE JULY/AUGUST 2022'